© 19 Colin Melbourne
Q: Is there a biblical reference in the use of the expression, ‘sour grapes’, meaning jealous?
A: I take it you mean when the expression is used, for example, by a poor loser in a competition, and she criticises the winner.
Onlookers sense her criticism is resentful and unjustified, so they say the comments are; “just sour grapes.”
That use of the idiom, signifying hurt pride and jealousy, is not found in the bible, being merely an English colloquialism.
However, Jews used the expression ‘sour grapes’ in proverbial form such as in Jer. 31:29-30 KJV;
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
You perceive that this sense relates directly to sin and sinning.
The Hebrews coined the proverb that offspring suffer for the wrongdoings of their parents.
Which is plainly true in many cases in every society, for example; parents with sinful habits bear children who follow their parents’ lifestyle.
You should not need me to elaborate on that thought.
But consider further, religious parents raise children to follow their religion, who therefore suffer the consequences of religion.
Whatever the label of your favourite religion, it is idolatry of some form, dead works keeping you from a living relationship with your Creator The LORD Jesus Christ. Heb. 6:1 KJV;
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God
Almighty God detests ‘religion’ because all ‘religions’ are man-made, devil-inspired systems to keep sinners far from The Truth: The LORD Jesus Christ.
Repent from Religion: Come into Christ!
Jer. 31:29-30 KJV;
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
The LORD is saying to the Jews under Law, that they will cease uttering their home-made proverb, because each person is individually accountable to Almighty God for his own sin.
If you eat unripe fruit of the vine, your own teeth will be set on edge.
Sin’s Wages
You will discover how apt this declaration is if you ever consume unripe; grapes, mangoes, or apples. The unconverted acid makes teeth sensitive and painful for days afterwards.
God’s Gift
Wiser are those people who avoid illicit fruit, and by Walking with God, bring forth the sweet-tasting fruit of the Holy Ghost in their lives, as branches of the True Vine: The LORD Jesus Christ.
© 19 Colin Melbourne
